Boulevardia is over. See the homegrown music festival’s 10-year history in KC
By Joseph Hernandez and
Emily Curiel
Boulevardia, the Kansas City-based music festival that brought national musicians and highlight local acts over its history, is no more.
The festival is shutting down, according to the Boulevardia Board of Directors on social media. It traveled throughout Kansas City over the years, first starting in the West Bottoms when it began in 2014, moving to the Stockyards District in 2017 and taking its setup to Crown Center from 2022 until its final year after the COVID-19 pandemic postponed it in 2020 and 2021.
The festival ran for two days during the summer months from 2014 to 2024, except in 2015, when it was three days. It moved to one day in 2025.
“After 10 unforgettable years of beers, beats, makers, magic and the best fans in the world, we’ve decided that last year’s 10th anniversary celebration will stand as Boulevardia’s grand finale,” Boulevardia’s board of directors said. “From transforming city blocks into pop-up nations to showcasing the best of KC music, culture, food and creativity — we’ve loved every wild, beautiful minute of this ride.”
The Star captured Boulevardia through its photo lenses over its 10-year tenure. Take a look back at its origins, past musical acts and scenes at silent disco through this photo gallery.
See Boulevardia’s decade-long tenure in KC
People listen to The Grisly Hand during the Boulevardia festival in Kansas City's West Bottoms on Friday, June 13, 2014. ALLISON LONG The Kansas City Star
Lez Izmore, a singer and percussionist with Hearts of Darkness, performs during the Boulevardia festival in Kansas City's West Bottoms on Friday, June 13, 2014. ALLISON LONG The Kansas City Star
A volunteer pours beer during the Boulevardia festival in Kansas City's West Bottoms on Friday, June 13, 2014. ALLISON LONG The Kansas City Star
Festival-goers pass by a sign on Saturday, June 20, 2015, during Boulevardia in the West Bottoms. ALLISON LONG along@kcstar.com
Crowds line up for samples at the Taps & Taste event on Saturday, June 20, 2015, during Boulevardia in the West Bottoms. ALLISON LONG along@kcstar.com
Megan Tobin reacts to the Jenga pile toppling as her husband, Ryan Tobin, both of Kansas City, watches on Saturday, June 20, 2015, during Boulevardia in the West Bottoms. Thousands of Kansas Citians turned out for the festival which was held over three days in 2015. ALLISON LONG along@kcstar.com
Members of Quixotic perform on the side of a building on Saturday, June 20, 2015, during Boulevardia in the West Bottoms. ALLISON LONG along@kcstar.com
J. Roddy Walston and The Business perform on the Boulevard Main Stage during Boulevardia Saturday, June 20, 2015, in the West Bottoms. JILL TOYOSHIBA JTOYOSHIBA@KCSTAR.COM
Cousins Molly Savage, of Iowa City, Iowa, and Sam Wiebers, of Trenton, Missouri, react to the Ferris wheel ride Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Boulevardia in Kansas City's West Bottoms. David Eulitt deulitt@kcstar.com
Jason Divad juggled on his seven-foot giraffe unicycle Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Boulevardia in the West Bottoms of Kansas City. David Eulitt deulitt@kcstar.com
Simon Ward, lead singer for The Strumbellas performed on the main stage Friday, June 16, 2017 at Boulevardia. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Special to the Star
The 6th annual Boulevardia beer, food and music festival drew large crowd to the West Bottoms area from June 14-15 in 2019. Shelly Yang syang@kcstar.com
Boulevardia, the festival of beer, food, music, makers and more, was held in the West Bottoms on June 14, 2019. Jill Toyoshiba jtoyoshiba@kcstar.com
After years around the West Bottoms, Boulevardia didn’t host festivals in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID. When it started back up in 2022, it moved near Crown Center. But it continued some of its beloved traditions: A Ferris wheel on Grand Boulevard at Crown Center was one of the attractions at Boulevardia Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Kansas City. Luke Johnson ljohnson@kcstar.com
Emma Brooke dances in the silent disco stage at the Boulevardia festival in Kansas City on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Salvation Choir preforms on the main stage at the Boulevardia festival in Kansas City on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People ride the Ferris wheel at Crown Center during Boulevardia early in the evening of June 18, 2022, in Kansas City. Luke Johnson ljohnson@kcstar.com
Owner of The Rolling Garden, Tyree Nelson, fixes a display in front of his truck at Boulevardia on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Kansas City. Nelson was one of 52 different local vendors whose work was featured at the festival. Zachary Linhares zlinhares@kcstar.com
Workers set up for Boulevardia Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Crown Center. The two-day festival featured local food vendors, craft beer and musical performances over the Father’s Day weekend. Zachary Linhares
A Boulevardia attendee stands for a photo in front of a neon light sign at Boulevardia on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Kansas City. Zachary Linhares zlinhares@kcstar.com
People walk along Grand Boulevard during Boulevardia on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Virginia Mollinedo, center, dances at the Silent Disco Stage during Boulevardia on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Rapper Tech N9ne performs on the Main Stage during Boulevardia on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
